Atalanta was a beautiful and confident young Greek woman who had the ability to run faster than any other human. As Ovid said "Nec dicere posses,
laude pedum formaene
bono praestantior esset." Meaning, no one is able to say whether she was should get more excellent praise for
her foot or for her more outstanding beauty.
She consulted the oracle, who told Atalanta, that if she ever were to be married, it would bring about her doom. Fearing for her future, she decided never to marry. Instead, she developed a plan which prohibited any man marrying her. The only way a man could only marry Atalanta, was if he beat her in a footrace. If any man challenged her and lost, they would be executed.

Despite the consequences if they lost, many young men came to Atalanta’s remote forest and challenged her to a race. As expected, she won ever race leading to many men being killed. One young man, however, Hippomenes, watched the races and instantly fell in love with the beautiful Atalanta. Smitten with the huntress, Hippomenes prayed to Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love. The goddess, moved by his plea, showed him how to win. Aphrodite gave him three golden apples.

As the race began, Atalanta took the lead three times. Hippomenes tossed one of the magical apples into her path and each time Atlanta paused to pick up the apple, allowing Hippomenes to take the lead. Aphrodite made the last apple very heavy in order to slow Atalanta down, which led Hippomenes to win the race.

Atalanta, finding him handsome, was delighted that he won the race. Since both young people could not contain their happiness, Hippomenes forgot to honor Aphrodite for her help. He failed to show his gratitude. As the couple waltzed through the woods, smitten with one another, they passed a holy shrine of Mother Earth. Lusting over one another, they upset another god, Mother Earth. With some encouragement from Aphrodite, Mother Earth turned them both into lions as a punishment. "...arma immutatur ad crura..." Arms turned to legs. Ironically, Atalanta’s marriage to Hippomenes did ultimately cause her doom.

Ode to Atalanta

Atalanta, the swift and brave, Your exquisite beauty seizing the hearts of every passing man. Escaping your doom from marriage, You prevail in every race. Until one day Hippomenes came along. He begged to Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Smitten with your strength and magnificence, He dropped three enchanted apples of gold. You had no choice but to stop and retrieve them. Hippomenes won that race, However you instantly tumbled into love together. Unfortunately the Oracle was right. Your marriage to Hippomenes brought you to your doom. Now you must run as you always did, But only now in the form of a lioness.